Posted By:
James GalloFirst off, no way can you say this is one of the greatest teams ever especially before they have even taken the field.
I have seen many a team not gel and blow up!!
Second off I think you are over stating things quite a bit.
1st base Carlos Guillen Nice player strikes out a lot for the position and the power he gives you.
2nd base Placido Polonco Another good player but I think he hit well beyond himself last year. He is around a .300 hitter at best and could be =/- 20-30 points.
SS Edgar Renteria Another question mark. His AVG the last time he was in the AM was .276. Nothing great here at all.
3rd base Miguel Cabrera Killer pick up and as long as the weight is down should be solid.
DH Gary Sheffield He's over the hill. All offense is down will be 40 this year. I wouldn't be too excited about him doing much.
R-field Magglio Ordonez Good solid player and proven, but HR and AVG are all over the place. I doubt you will see another .363 season from him.
C-field Curtis Granderson Young guy had a break out year last year. Assuming he continues to bat .300ish and not .260 like in 06.
L-field Jacque Jones Another player that isn't so great. Both HR and SO dropped 20+ last year so I guess that balances out. Just an average player IMO with a .280 LT BA.
Catcher Ivan Rodriguez Will be 37 next year. Another guy that strikes out near 100 times a year. Average coming down and he defense isn't want it used to be.
As for the pitchers...
starters -J.Verlander- J.bonderman- D.Willis- K.Rogers- N.Robertson
I don't know what Willis has and that is a huge question mark.
Rogers is OLD and he has up and down seasons at best
I know nothing about Robertson.
That being said all I want to hear is that you got a little to exciting and although they will likely be a good solid team and near the top of the AM they aren't one of the best ever.
If you so stuck on the offense here is a team that I will bet will kill the Tigers in every offense category. The Phillies!!!
1st Howard .280 40-60HR maybe more
2nd Utley .300-.330 BA 25-35 HR Plenty of doubles
SS Rollins .300 BS 25-35 HR NL MVP Nuff Said
3rd a bit weak right now but if Iguchi comes back it will be a solid .280+ with lots of potential.
C Ruiz Young guy that is just going to get better. Very good defense and I will expect an AVG increase of 10-20 points.
LR Burell Gives you another 30 HR
CF ?? Not sure yet Rowand or see RF. IF Rowand comes back another .280-.300 hitter with 25-30 HR
RF Victorino A very solid young player with 15-20 HR 40+SB and a .280+ AVG.
Pitching well we got Myers, Hamels and the old guy Moyer. We got a closer in Lidge
There are a few holes, but I would say from an offense stand point they match up very well to the Tigers. Pitching may still need some work but the Tigers are relying on Rodgers and Willis who might be done, and the unproven Robertson.....
You jumped the gun just admit it. I will wait and see what the Phillies, Yankees, Bo Sox and the other handful of contending teams do but I would give the Tigers the WS yet.
James G
Looking for 1915 Cracker Jacks and 1909-11 American Caramel E90-1.